11/3/2014
Pole Position on Formula 1
Since last year, Canal+ has been the official Formula 1 broadcaster. This premium channel has opted to use our resources to cover the championship from start to end, on circuits across the world. Their perfect recognition of our expertise in automobile racing allows us to work on an unusual project that mobilises a dedicated team for 19 weeks in the year, combining versatility and expertise to create a real family spirit.
Thanks to Formula 1, AMP VISUAL TV has become the global reference for motor sports, also covering the WRC, the ERC, the WTCC and the WEC. With our accumulated knowledge of circuits across the world and our innovative power, we succeed in establishing intelligent and affordable processes for our clients.
The strict conditions and transport costs that are a part of Formula 1 require an extreme optimisation of the resources that are sent. For that reason, we committed to creating a dedicated tool for Canal+, which would also provide the ease of consistent work throughout the season in Europe. Thus, the Extender 2 was born; an adaptable semi-trailer associated with a brand-new control-room: the Fly 3. This control-room is fully independent, enabling it to act autonomously on overseas circuits, outside of Europe. Thanks to this extensive, light, but effective equipment, the whole chain of production was optimised. Weight was limited as much as possible, with the necessary length of the cables being calculated as accurately as possible, which also limited the number of containers.
Each week of the championship, we ensure the digital on-screen graphics on exclusive images provided by FOM (Formula One Management), from simple tests and qualifiers to the Grand Prix. We also produce "La Grille" ("The Grid") for Canal+, an unencrypted broadcast before the start of the race, and the "Formula One" programme at the end of the Grand Prix, generally produced in studios installed with the hospitality of the teams. We provide 3 RF cameras, and a wired camera in the commentary box.
The RF is one of the important points of the technical package. Each circuit has its own peculiarities in terms of distance and obstacles for the RF connections, which resulted in the permanent adaptation of the solutions offered. The audio requires meticulous work in managing the commentary box, the live translations and all of the intercommunications, including those with Paris. Furthermore, outside of shooting, we also record the topics filmed live in a dedicated cubicle of the Extender 2 that provide material for various Canal+ programmes.
It would be difficult to talk about this performance without talking about the extraordinary state of mind that reigns during shooting. A real alchemy is created between our teams and those of Canal+, exceeding traditional artistic and technical boundaries. Together, for 19 weeks of the year, the close-knit group meets up at every Grand Prix, and you could easily compare it to a family atmosphere. Versatility is required at every level: from the assembly of the control room to the end of shooting, everyone multitasks for the same goal, endeavouring to successfully shoot images that will travel around the world!
We wish the whole team a great end to the season at the last Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi on the 23rd November.
All of the Formula 1 news and videos from Canal+ can be found here >>> http://www.canalplus.fr/c-sport/c-formule-1/pid5576-videos.html
In the press: SONOVISION n°599 - Dossier spécial Formule 1
